Mikhail Youzhny, one of the three hottest players on the ATP Tour at the moment, continued his careerbest start to a season by Friday reaching back-to-back finals.

The 24-year-old Russian won the Rotterdam title last week, overcame French Open champion Rafael Nadal on Thursday and reached the final of the Dubai Open Friday, brimming full of confidence during a 7-5, 6-2 win over Robin Soderling.

It gave Youzhny a 18-4 win-loss record so far in 2007 and his continued excellent form was the more remarkable given that he finished at close to midnight the night before against Nadal and was obliged to return to court within 14 hours.

"When you beat the number two in the world you always have power to play," Youzhny said. "Even if you have not slept well and are not fresh. It gives you power.

"I had around eight hours sleep, but I wanted more for sure. But after a few games I woke up. I shall need more sleep tonight for sure."

That is because Youzhny's probable opponent will be Roger Federer, the top-seeded world number one, who plays fifth-seeded German Tommy Haas in the other semifinal.

Youzhny's improvement has been cumulative, the process of winning matches making him mentally stronger, though his brilliantly-timed backhand drive has been a constant threat and his service especially potent this week.

When he was 15-40 down in the eighth game he served solidly to get out of trouble, and for much of the match his first delivery was extremely effective.

More than 90 percent of the time it led to his winning the rally and almost three-quarters of the time he landed it in.

The break of serve he achieved in the eleventh game not only gained him the first set, it turned the match. From then on Soderling's level dropped and Youzhny broke him three times.

Afterwards he gave thanks toRussian supporters who had helped him, he said, both in Rotterdam and here. "This is a win not just for me but for the Russian people," he said.

After each win he gave them a kind of military salute, and he was jokingly asked if he won the tournament would he dress up in military uniform and carry a Kalashnikov.

"I will give the sign in the sky," he replied obligingly, though it was evident -- with his refusal to talk at all about playing Federer -- that he was more concerned in keeping his gunpowder dry.